A History of St Michael and All Angels Church, Pelsall
As we celebrated the 180th anniversary of St Michael and All Angels Church this year, I thought it would be the perfect time to delve into the history of our Church.
The earliest known Church to exist in Pelsall was situated in Paradise Lane, Pelsall. This Church was known as St Peters.
According to 1327 returns, at this point there were only eleven men in the village with movable property.
During the reformation of 1552 the Government of Edward VI appointed a commission to assess the value of Church property and goods. According to their records, following their visit to Pelsall, Richard Forsett took back with him the Church plate and vestments. Only two bells escaped his purge
By 1762, and at least 451 years old, the Church was in need of substantial repairs. The pinnacle of this saw the collapse of the roof.
In 1763, the Church was rebuilt and dedicated to St Michael and All Angels.
There are some suggestions that the building was not entirely brand new in that some of the medieval building may still have remained.
The new building was described as being a small brick building which boasted of a seating capacity for 174 people.
Despite what may have looked like a rather grim and old fashioned building back then, one of the inside walls must have looked quite out of character then.
According to the description, on the north wall was a crudely painted picture of an old man with a purse in his left hand and money in his right. Below that, the inscription read:
Richard Harrison gave 20 groats to the poor of Pelshall to be paid yearly on New Year's Day. The land charged to pay money in the old Croft. Aged 101.
The vicarage attached to this Church was said to be further along on Paradise Lane. It was a half timbered building with a thatched roof.
The Church was a curacy which performed baptisms and burials only.
A 17th century parish register from St Peter's Church in Wolverhampton states that the people of Pelsall agreed to pay fees to the Dean of Prebendaries of Wolverhampton in consideration for permission to bury at the Church in Pelsall.
More often than not, rather than paying this, many locals buried their deceased in Rushall or Bloxwich.
Records state that the first person to be buried in the new Churchyard in Paradise Lane was Edward Wiggin. He was buried there on 7th November 1763 at the cost of 7d.
Today, a relatively small plot of land, which is believed to be the former burial ground can be seen on Paradise Lane, Pelsall.
A range of very old headstones can be seen leaning up against the surrounding walls.
In 1843, the St Michael and All Angels Church we know of today was built, with seating capacity for 600 persons.
The new Church was to take the place of the now virtually derelict 1311 Church.
As a result of this the old Church was de-consecrated.
When the new Church was first established, like its predecessor, it remained as a curacy.
Even until 1846 the Deans of Wolverhampton Church were the vicars of Pelsall Church. Not surprisingly the Church was known as 'peculiar' in that this ecclesiastical district was set apart from the normal jurisdiction of the Bishop because all curates reported to their superiors at the Wolverhampton Church of St Peter and so all records relating to St Michael and All Angels were held at Wolverhampton.
By 1846 the curates of St Michael and All Angels were very aware of the spiritual needs of a now quickly growing community and so suggested that a resident vicar be appointed.
Their point was thankfully taken and so a vicar was shortly appointed.
St Michael and All Angels Church in 1902
Pages from Pelsall Parish Magazine, which were very kindly loaned to me by Mr Derek Broadhurst, give a fascinating insight into what part the Church played in the community of Pelsall in the late 1800's to the early 1900's.
Pelsall Hall Brass Band 1894
This page pays tribute to Rev S Gilson, Vicar of St Michael and All Angels Church 1879 - 1884, who passed away peacefully on at the age of 74
The final paragraph on this page gives readers a fascinating insight into what Rev Gilson did during his time as Vicar in Pelsall. It is interesting to learn how much time he spent abroad in what was a very different world then. During his time, as you can see, he spent time being as far away as Vancouver Island in the far West of the American Continent, on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. With regards to Pelsall, the article relates that Rev Gilson was much beloved by the people of Pelsall, to whom he was a good friend and faithful Pastor.
Rev W.M.Climpson, vicar of St Michael and All Angels Church 1894 -1910 was the husband of Annie Catherine Charles of Pelsall Hall. Annie Catherine Charles was the eldest daughter of John Smith Charles and Annie Snowdin Charles of Pelsall Hall.
The Rev William Climpson and his wife Annie Catherine Climpson lived at Pelsall Vicarage with 12 year old Arthur Henley who was the domestic servant at the vicarage and Catherine Birch who was the 21 year old general domestic servant.
Rev Climpson and his wife, Annie Catherine Charles at the centre of the photograph taken at the rear of Pelsall Hall
Photograph above courtesy of Mr A Weller, Pelsall History Centre
Pelsall C of E School Teachers 1899
Back Row L-R Miss Polly Thompson, Miss Ann Smith, Mrs Brownridge, Miss E York, Miss M Mercer.
Middle Row L-R Miss S Wildig, Rev W M Climpson, Mr W H Brownridge, Miss A Brownridge (Mrs Reynolds)
Front Row L-R Miss Bertha Garfield, Mr Charles Hodson, Miss Jenny Bill.
However, it could be said that the most significant part Rev W M Climpson played in the history of Pelsall was through his connection with the Waifs and Strays movement of the time.
From 1898 - 1907 Rev W M Climpson was the saviour of many orphaned boys in the village.
The image below, which was in one of Annie Snowdin Charles' photograph albums, appears to show the Rev W M Climpson with one of the boys and possibly the orphanage behind him.
Rev W M Climpson was responsible for St Michael's Home for Boys from 1898 - 1907. The establishment was known as The Home of the Good Shepherd.
Regrettably, there is very little known about the home or the boys who were taken in as the home rarely appears in records, however I have found a parish magazine which lists the names of some of the boys who were there at the time when the magazine was published.
The home was open for 9 years and closed in 1907. The home was one of 5 in the Lichfield diocese.
The home was known to be a small cottage that could only house 6 to 8 boys aged between 8 and 12 and Rev W M Climpson was the Honorary Secretary.
The boys of the orphanage were educated at the Church School and received pre employment training. A number of the boys were prepared to emigrate to Canada.
St Michael's Home for Boys 1898 -1907, Church Road Pelsall
Photograph courtesy of Mr A Weller, Pelsall History Centre
Rev Climpson seen above with some of the boys from the orphanage
Photograph courtesy of Mr A Weller, Pelsall History Centre
Rev Climpson's headstone can be found in St Michael and all Angel's Churchyard, near the entrance to the Church
The following two photographs of the Ascension Window once belonged to Stephanie and Hermione Warren who were two of the children of Beatrice and Rev Stephen Warren, and two of the Grandchildren of John Smith Charles of Pelsall Hall.
This fascinating photograph shows how the Church was lit at this time, when pews remained in place.
The inscription at the rear of these photographs suggests that there is a connection with the Window of Ascension. Written on the rear of the photograph is 'In Memory of John Smith Charles.' This may have been written by Grandchildren Stephanie Hope Warren or her sister Hermione Grace Warren.
Beatrice Warren (nee Charles) wearing necklace second from left, middle row seen with the children seated at the front, Stephanie Hope, Hugh St John and Hermione Grace, photographed in the grounds of Pelsall Hall
Mr John Smith Charles and Mrs Anne Charles relaxing in the grounds of Pelsall Hall
Pelsall Churchyard, Hall Lane, Pelsall
Mr John Smith Charles and Mrs Annie Snowdin Charles were very keen to make the new Churchyard beautiful. It is reported that through the kindness and energy of Mr and Mrs Charles an avenue of firs and beeches were planted together with other ornamental trees to beautify the Churchyard.
The family were keen to realise their ambition of creating a Churchyard which would remind people that it is 'God's Acre'.
Do You Remember Father Graham?
Whilst publishing the Pelsall Times magazine back in 2004, a photograph was provided by Mrs Bev Storey. She told me that she was surprised that no one had written in to me yet about father Graham as he held such a reputation of being a very kind man who was very well loved in the village.
Hence, I asked readers if they remembered him.
Following this publication, Mrs Massey very kindly got in touch with me to tell me that she had a photograph and some information to share with me about Father Graham.
Reverend George Graham was vicar of St Michael and All Angels Church from 1966 to 1977 and was affectionately known as Father Graham.
Mrs Massey wrote that Father Graham played a major part in her childhood; she was about 4 years old when he came to the village. Father Graham referred to the children of the village as his ‘Little Disciples’.
He loved children and wherever he went there seemed to be a trail of children behind him, whether he was on one of his famous outings in a van or merely walking down the common to the Church.
Mrs Massey vividly remembered on one of the many occasions Father Graham visited her home for a cup of tea and a slice of cake.
He was without question a ‘gentle giant' of a man.
She recalled that he could out sing a church organ with his massive booming voice.
As she was growing up, Mrs Massey recalled that she was lucky enough to be invited on some of his outings, usually for the youngsters in the church choir.
Mrs Massey was never in the choir, but her sister was, so she got to go on outings too.
Mrs Massey recalled that the day usually started with a trip to Osbournes Bakers to get a big bag of Chelsea buns and loaves of bread. Then Father Graham would pile us into his green van and head off at the great speed of 20 miles per hour, anywhere we wanted to go as long as he didn’t have to turn right.
They would often end up at the Chase, Ellesmere or even the Wrekin.
She recalled that every year on the occasion of the Sunday School Festival, they would all be decked out in their best white dresses, and after the morning service would happily parade around the village behind a huge banner, blowing in the wind following the brass band music coming out of the loud speaker on top of Mr Swain’s van.
As a teenager, Mrs Massey remembered going to the vicarage on a Sunday afternoon for Confirmation classes.
She recalled that Monday nights were fun as she and others went to bell ringing practice and Father Graham was so enthusiastic.
She recalled that they all feared for their lives when he swung the ‘sally’, but he did it with a certain gusto. The sleeves would be rolled up and the brow perspired greatly.
Father Graham was a proud man who lived a simple life. Asking for very little, living his faith, inspiring those around him and always with an easy smile and a kind word for all. Glorying in village life, happily wondering across the common, stopping to catch his breath while he looked around himself every now and then.
A traditional man with strong values that were not always fully appreciated by some of his parishioners.
I recall the day of Father Graham’s funeral in 1977. His Church was full of people whose lives he had touched and enriched.
Many wept for the loss of the man who was far more than a parish priest to them.
His gravestone in the churchyard is a fitting tribute – a large rock like stone, nothing over elaborate, but a lasting memory to a man who’s memory needs no prompting for those who knew him.
Annette Massey – the daughter of Mr D Massey.
If you remember Father Graham and you would like to share your story, please get in touch.
Pelsall Vicarage prior to its demolition
Father Graham at the Head of the Table
Father Graham with some of his Little Disciples
Photograph kindly loaned by Mrs Annette Massey
Father Graham's headstone, which can be seen next to Rev Climpson's headstone at the front of St Michael and All Angel's Church, Pelsall
St Michael and All Angels Church and Pelsall Hall Colliery Disaster
Pelsall Hall Colliery Disaster 1872
The Widows
Photograph kindly loaned by Mr A Weller, Chairman of Pelsall History Centre
To mark the 150th anniversary of Pelsall Hall Colliery Disaster, a service was held in the Church.
A candle was lit for each miner who lost their life due to the disaster.
A wreath was placed on the obelisk dedicated to the miners who lost their lives in 1872 by Mr Andrew Weller, Chairman of Pelsall History Centre.
Further details about Pelsall Hall Colliery disaster can be found on this website, however on this occasion I will be looking at how important a roll the church had on the day of the funeral.
The following article was published in 1872.
From early morn the death bell knolled the departed dead; and about one the heart piercing wall and thud of the Dead March from Saul; struck upon the ear, as one contingent of the dead came marching in to its last muster, headed by the Bloxwich Rifle Corps Band.
The contingent united with the others upon the common, for during the night, all the dead, but eight, had been removed to their homes from the Station Inn, and the long procession of twenty corpses, and many, very many, weeping relatives and friends moved on towards the church, and made its way through the thousands of spectators – perhaps 30,000 – gathered against the churchyard railings, and clustered upon cabs, carriages, breaks and vehicles of all descriptions far around.
The body of young Thomas Starkey came first, with its white sashed bearers- the unmarried were distinguished by the presence of white upon the bearers and upon the coffin trimmings, the other bearers and trimmings being all black – and passed into the church, with four weeping women. A quarter of an hour passed, the wailing music coming nearer and nearer and the death bell tolling on all the while, and then the head of the procession passed within the gates and came up the pathway, led by the Rev J Turner, the Rev F G Littlecot (Rushall), and Mr Barnett, one of the churchwardens.
The gallant band of mining engineers and colliery proprietors who have worked on so heroically, day after day and night after night – first, in the hope of recovering the living, and then for the purpose of recovering the hapless dead – walked next, with Mr Shoemack, secretary of the relief fund, and fell apart forming an avenue for the sad procession. The Rev J R Selwyn, son of the Bishop of Lichfield, the Rev W P Davies (Walsall Wood) and the Rev W L Cottel (Blakenhall) joined their rev brethren at the head of the cortege, and as it moved on into the church, the Rev Turner read the opening passages of the order for the burial of the dead.
The first body carried in was that of John Roberts, then that of Edward Williams, then that of Thomas Hawkes, then that of Thomas Quarter, then that of Charles Astbury. Then came more bodies, each, like the preceding ones with its train of grief stricken followers, and then came the bodies of poor old Mr Starkey and his nephew; Mr Morgan and his partner being among those who followed the former, and proceeded the latter.
And so the solemn cavalcade passed on, body after body, each with its attendant group of mourners.
By the time all were in, the church was full to overflowing. The fruits of death’s harvest lay in double rows along the passages, the engineers and colliery proprietors, pale with toil and the anxiety of the ten or twelve previous days and nights sat together on the right hand side of the upper end of the edifice; the pews were thronged with men, and women, and children claiming close kinship with the poor fellows lying cold and stark in the coffins close by.
The Rev W L Cotter read the 90th Psalm, and the sacred words, “They are even as asleep, and fade away suddenly like grass. In the morning it is green, and growth up, but in the evening it is out down, dried up and withered,” seemed peculiarly applicable to the suddenness of the fate of these poor victims of the mine. The consolatory lesson was read by the Rev J R Selwyn, and then the Rev J Turner delivered a short address. He referred to the painful circumstances under which the twenty two poor fellows had been suddenly called away to render an account to God, and said there were two practical lessons which they should learn from this solemn event.
Then came the removal to the grave. Edward Williams was the first sent down into the gloomy vault, and his poor wife lingered at the top of the descent, unwilling to leave him there, and had at last to be removed by kindly forces. Then came John Quarter, and another painful scene occurred, his friends giving vent to demonstrations of grief violent in the extreme. Tender sympathisers got them away, and then coffin after coffin came containing the bodies of Frank Dilkes, Thomas Starkey, Thomas Ancott, John Hollis, John Roberts, Charles Astbury, George Cassell, Charles Cash, Marshall Cash, Stephen Lawton, Charles Capewell, Thomas Starkey – the old man – and as his coffin was brought along and passed out to view, another wave of sympathetic sorrow – a sort of articulated spasm of pain – ran through the crowd. Next came Thomas Hollis, who was supposed, from the position of his body, to have been in prayer at the time the dread summons came. Then followed John Starkey, Richard Hyde, John Haywood, Thomas Coleman, and George Ball, and as the last went down.
The Rev. W P Davies read the sentences appointed to be read at the grave; and the Rev. J Turner and the Rev. F G Littlecot the prayers after the burial.
St Michael and All Angels Church, Pelsall 2024
To mark the 180th anniversary of St Michael and All Angels Church in October this year, special services and events were held including a wedding fair where couples who had married there were invited back to tell their stories.
Vicar of St Michael and All Angels Church, Rev Allison Morris, who has married many couples at the Church was on the look out for couples who had been married there, with one weekend dedicated to them.
Rev Morris was on the look out for the longest living couple. She was also looking how people had met and why they chose to be married at St Michael and All Angels.
Readers may well remember that back in 1991, Blind Date couple Alex and Sue Thatham were the first couple to get married after meeting on the TV show.
The wedding, which took place at St Michael and All Angels Church, Pelsall with Cilla Black in attendance was watched by around 5,000 people (perhaps you were there?) and the television audience was around 17.5 million.
In addition to around 30 other couples, Alex and Sue Thatham renewed their wedding vows to mark the occasion.
The occasion was marked in the local press with photographs in abundance.
The above, open invitation was put on the lych gate at the front of the Church
